Standing with feet parallel and hip-width apart, take a big step. Tighten the butt cheek of the rear leg, keeping the hips level. Put your hands on your lower back as shown. Lower into a lunge, keeping the front knee behind the toes. Hold for four slow breaths, contracting the lower abs on the exhale. Do four reps on each side.

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The banana

Tones the back, legs, and abs

Lie on your side with your lower leg bent and lower arm reaching overhead with the palm up. Keep your top hand on the floor and your abs pulled in for support. Exhaling, take three counts to simultaneously lift your lower arm, upper body, and top leg. Then take three counts to lower them on the inhale. Do four to six reps on each side.

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Plank on knees

Tones the abs, arms, and shoulders

Rest on your hands and knees with your neck, back, and thighs forming a straight line as shown. Pull your abs toward your spine to prevent your back from arching. With your shoulders over your hands, do a slow push-up, going about halfway down to the floor. Inhale on the way down and exhale on the way up. Aim for four reps.

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